If better TIM leads to ivy easily overclocking to 5GHz on air, then the market for SB-E is pretty much ruined. Very few people will want to sacrifice 10% performance for some extra memory bandwidth.
However, if ivy overclocking is limited such as it is, then SB-E performance is relatively flat, which is enough to justify purchase. Considering Intel is a company with a documented history of conspiring to do much worse than this, it is just pure folly and ignorance to rant about kennedy and conspiracy theories. You're talking about a company that has been fined billions for past conspiracies...
Just think of what happens if Intel releases an IVB-E and it turns out to have better TIM and overclocks like a bandit to 5.3GHz on air. How many people do you think will be coming on these forums worshipping Intel and ready to plunk down $200 extra to go with the more expensive platform? I bet quite a few will fall for this. Bottom line it is a simple decision that could generate an extra million or two in profits for intel.